Kwame
Well-Known Member
Hi and welcome to my first ever post on my visit to Marwell Wildlife on Sunday 13 December 2009.
Over the last year or so I have visited Marwell Zoo now Marwell Wildlife on many occasions and would like to add my observations to the many people who already provide a fascinating insight on zoo chat.
Here is an overview of the highlights.
Cheetah’s
Turkas and Paka spent much of the day patrolling their enclosure. Something they were doing for much of the day. The only time I noticed them standing still was when they were watching the crows in the neighbouring empty enclosure.
It was nice to see them both out in the enclosure as quite often you only see one of them as the other is hidden from view in their house.
This is one of the benefits of a winter visit to Marwell Wildlife.
Amur Leopards
The highlight of my visit was expected to be seeing the new female Amur Leopard called Kaia.
It was interesting to read that she apparently arrived at Marwell Wildlife on 17 November according to the Estonian Embassy website.
On my arrival at the Amur Leopards enclosure I found her curled up high on her perch. The one Kiska (who has now left for Dortmund Zoo) regularly could be found on surveying the area.
The male leopard was walking around the opposite enclosure.
I don’t know if it was my imagination but he certainly seemed to be marking his sent on his enclosure more than normal.
He was also making loud grunting noises, he certainly looked as if he was trying to get the attention of the female. Kisa did momentarily respond with a glance across from her perch.
By late afternoon Kaia had come down from her perch and was strolling around her enclosure giving passers by a superb view of this magnificent animal.
Non Show Cheetah’s
The actual highlight of my visit was spotting the two young female cheetah’s which are not on show to the general public.
They could both be seen peering over the fence. They were visible if you stood with your back to the bottom end of Zambar’s (Amur tiger) enclosure and looked over the fence towards Marwell Hall.
They could also just be seen running around their enclosure from the path next to Marwell Hall.
Lets hope one day they will be put of full public view.
Amur Tigers
All three tigers were quite active today, again the cool weather certainly helps.
Both Gamin and Yena spent much of the day patrolling and chasing each other in their enclosure.
Zambar also spent the day outside and greeted my arrival with a grunt as he walked passed something he often would do. He will be missed when he leaves in January for Blackpool.
Snow Leopard
Yasmin the snow leopard was also quite active this morning walking around her enclosure.
It was interesting to see her enclosure has been split in two in readiness for the arrival of a new breading pair.
She still had access to both parts of the enclosure via her indoor enclosure.
Does anyone know if the new breading pair are on site yet or when they are going to arrive?
Giraffes
Finally I have to give a mention to the animals one of which I got my zoo chat name from.
The giraffes only have access to the giraffe house and hard standing area outside at the moment.
Access to the African Valley is off limits during the winter months.
From a personal perspective it is nice to see these amazing animals at close quarters in the house as they gracefully stroll around. They are as inquisitive of us as we are of them.
When they are in the African Valley it is easy to forget how big these animals are.
World of Lemurs
It was nice to be able to go inside the World of Lemurs again after its recent closure for roof repair work.
It should be noted that not all the lemurs have been returned yet after the closure.
Over the last year or so I have visited Marwell Zoo now Marwell Wildlife on many occasions and would like to add my observations to the many people who already provide a fascinating insight on zoo chat.
Here is an overview of the highlights.
Cheetah’s
Turkas and Paka spent much of the day patrolling their enclosure. Something they were doing for much of the day. The only time I noticed them standing still was when they were watching the crows in the neighbouring empty enclosure.
It was nice to see them both out in the enclosure as quite often you only see one of them as the other is hidden from view in their house.
This is one of the benefits of a winter visit to Marwell Wildlife.
Amur Leopards
The highlight of my visit was expected to be seeing the new female Amur Leopard called Kaia.
It was interesting to read that she apparently arrived at Marwell Wildlife on 17 November according to the Estonian Embassy website.
On my arrival at the Amur Leopards enclosure I found her curled up high on her perch. The one Kiska (who has now left for Dortmund Zoo) regularly could be found on surveying the area.
The male leopard was walking around the opposite enclosure.
I don’t know if it was my imagination but he certainly seemed to be marking his sent on his enclosure more than normal.
He was also making loud grunting noises, he certainly looked as if he was trying to get the attention of the female. Kisa did momentarily respond with a glance across from her perch.
By late afternoon Kaia had come down from her perch and was strolling around her enclosure giving passers by a superb view of this magnificent animal.
Non Show Cheetah’s
The actual highlight of my visit was spotting the two young female cheetah’s which are not on show to the general public.
They could both be seen peering over the fence. They were visible if you stood with your back to the bottom end of Zambar’s (Amur tiger) enclosure and looked over the fence towards Marwell Hall.
They could also just be seen running around their enclosure from the path next to Marwell Hall.
Lets hope one day they will be put of full public view.
Amur Tigers
All three tigers were quite active today, again the cool weather certainly helps.
Both Gamin and Yena spent much of the day patrolling and chasing each other in their enclosure.
Zambar also spent the day outside and greeted my arrival with a grunt as he walked passed something he often would do. He will be missed when he leaves in January for Blackpool.
Snow Leopard
Yasmin the snow leopard was also quite active this morning walking around her enclosure.
It was interesting to see her enclosure has been split in two in readiness for the arrival of a new breading pair.
She still had access to both parts of the enclosure via her indoor enclosure.
Does anyone know if the new breading pair are on site yet or when they are going to arrive?
Giraffes
Finally I have to give a mention to the animals one of which I got my zoo chat name from.
The giraffes only have access to the giraffe house and hard standing area outside at the moment.
Access to the African Valley is off limits during the winter months.
From a personal perspective it is nice to see these amazing animals at close quarters in the house as they gracefully stroll around. They are as inquisitive of us as we are of them.
When they are in the African Valley it is easy to forget how big these animals are.
World of Lemurs
It was nice to be able to go inside the World of Lemurs again after its recent closure for roof repair work.
It should be noted that not all the lemurs have been returned yet after the closure.
Me and another regular visitor who's a member here, mhale, happened to be at the park today, and mhale also told me that she saw the off-show cheetahs where you did. I was with the other members of the older oryx club's group, so didn't get round to seeing as much as I usually do. You can see both me and mhale's regular updates in the 'My Monthly Updates' thread. 
Could it be possible that we spoke to each other this afternoon?
